Ex-Olympian Charged with Damaging Reflecting Pool Gets Sept. 28 Trial Date
Defense lawyers say photos show the pool liner was already damaged before David Hearn touched it, and they argue the government erased key evidence.
- On Thursday, July 16, attorneys for former Olympic canoeist David Hearn filed a motion to dismiss his property destruction case, arguing the government destroyed critical evidence by draining and repairing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool before defense experts could examine it.
- Prosecutors indicted the 67-year-old Olympian on a felony count of property destruction, alleging he forcefully pulled up two square feet of the pool's liner on June 19; Hearn maintains he only touched a piece already detached.
- Defense attorneys argue photographs included in the filing show the pool liner was already damaged before Hearn touched it, stating, "This entire section of the pool liner is missing," and the government's failure to preserve evidence destroyed his defense.
- Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman set a trial date for September 28, warning prosecutors that renovation work proceeds "at its own peril," while dismissing the motion without prejudice to allow potential refiling.
- At least three other people have faced misdemeanor charges for removing paint from the site, part of a renovation project championed by President Donald Trump, and Hearn is scheduled to appear for another hearing on September 11.
54 Articles
54 Articles
‘Hope He Sues’: Trump's Reflecting Pool Case Against Three-Time Olympian Takes Stunning Turn After Key Evidence Potentially Vanishes
President Donald Trump left a 67-year-old Olympian with a charge on his public record for Authorities arrested David Hearn last month for allegedly damaging the renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The federal government awarded an estimated $14 million to $16 million in no-bid contracts at the president’s request. The work focused on upgrades near the National Mall. President Donald Trump pushed for “vandals” to be prosecuted for damage…
Louisiana Illuminator
Trump administration should preserve Reflecting Pool evidence, judge says
A worker cleans the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall on June 25, 2026. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) WASHINGTON — A D.C. Superior Court judge on Monday encouraged the Trump administration to preserve the sections of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool that it says a Maryland man damaged to ensure the case moves forward. Associate Judge Todd E. Edelman warned during a status hearing in the case against former Olym…
Associated Press News
Ex-Olympian charged with damaging Reflecting Pool gets Sept. 28 trial date
A judge in the nation’s capital has set a September trial date for a former Olympic canoe racer charged with deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
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